A Fresh Bubbly to Start the Evening

At a recent dinner with friends, we started the evening with a bottle of Pierre Peters Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Cuvée de Réserve NV. Based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this grower (or récoltant-manipulant) cultivates about 45 acres of Chardonnay in the villages of Le Mésnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant. All four villages are situated in the Côte des Blancs district (considered the best area for Chardonnay) and rated grand cru, the region’s most prestigious classification level.

In its youth, this cuvée can be firm and steely, but also floral, yeasty and lacy in texture. Our bottle offered freshness and elegance, well-integrated with the citrus, honey and mineral flavors. It was ideal to whet the appetite for our meal. I gave it 91 points, non-blind.

Rodolphe Peters took responsibility for the family business from his father François in 2007. He gets a little help now from his uncle Jacques Peters, who retired last year from Veuve Clicquot, where he was chef de cave for nearly 30 years.

WineSpectator.com members: Read the original blind-tasting review for Pierre Peters Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Cuvée de Réserve NV (89, $62).

• Plus, get scores and tasting notes for more recently rated Champagnes.